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It’s not just white sharks: Massachusetts shark researchers ‘closely monitoring’ another shark species this season

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It’s not just white sharks: Massachusetts shark researchers ‘closely monitoring’ another shark species this season


This is just jaw-some.

Another shark species has the attention of local white shark researchers, who will be “closely monitoring” an additional apex predator this season as beachgoers return to the water.

Dusky sharks — which were spotted attacking seals off Nantucket in the past — have also been seen off Orleans’ Nauset Beach, where great white sharks are frequently spotted during the summer and fall.

Local white shark researchers previously had not observed dusky sharks preying on seals off Massachusetts, but now it seems like the shark species is making a comeback in these northern waters.

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“It’s something we’re going to be keeping track of this year,” said Megan Winton, senior scientist with the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy. “We’re definitely going to be closely monitoring them.

“Some people might say, ‘Oh great, now we have another shark species we have to worry about at the beach,’ but the public safety messaging stays the same,” Winton added. “The same ‘Shark Smart’ behaviors still apply.”

To the untrained eye, dusky sharks can look like big white sharks.

They are large-bodied, about 8- to 10-feet long, typically grey with dusky margins on the fins. While a white shark’s fin is triangular, a dusky shark’s fin slopes and curves.

Dusky sharks are not as beefy as white sharks, and their tail movements are more snake-like.

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Dusky sharks are potentially dangerous to beachgoers due to their large size and occurrence in shallow coastal waters, though they have been implicated in few interactions with humans, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History.

“The same messaging goes with a second shark species feeding on seals: You don’t want to be swimming with shark food,” Winton said. “That means seals and big schools of fish.

“Also, we’ve learned that white sharks spend a lot of time in shallow water hunting for seals, so be aware of your depth when visiting our beaches,” she added. “Always pay attention to the lifeguards, and don’t swim or surf alone. Anytime you’re going into a wild environment and you know large predators are around, pay attention and be smart about it.”

Researchers put real-time shark receivers off the Cape, so lifeguards get instant updates if a tagged white shark is nearby. The lifeguards will then order everyone out of the water for some time.

Also, beachgoers are urged to report shark sightings to the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy’s Sharktivity app. The app helps raise awareness of the presence of white sharks off the coast. The app sightings are fed by researchers, safety officials, and users who upload photos for confirmation.

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Last week, the first confirmed white shark report of the season was off Martha’s Vineyard when a shark fatally bit a seal.

This is the typical time of year when great whites return to the Cape and Islands to hunt for seals.

Winton over the winter was off South Carolina, where she helped tag seven white sharks. One of those sharks recently pinged off Maryland.

“Some are making their way north already as the water temperatures tick up,” Winton said.

Over the weekend, a porbeagle shark beached itself and died in Rhode Island’s Point Judith Pond.

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“The species itself isn’t that surprising as they love colder water and unlike many other sharks that have yet to arrive, this shark was likely getting ready to follow the colder water north as our waters slowly warm,” the Atlantic Shark Institute posted.

The shark was apparently first found wedged in rocks by the breakwater at Salty Brine State Beach in Galilee, but then the shark freed itself and started swimming in circles. The porbeagle then swam into Point Judith Pond and eventually died.

“Thanks to everyone who reached out to us over 24 hours to provide information and video on this shark along with Greg Skomal at MADMF and John Chisholm from New England Aquarium,” the Atlantic Shark Institute wrote. “Both aided our executive director in reviewing all the video and photos to identify this shark.”

Dr. Megan Winton looks out to sea. (National Geographic/Brandon Sargeant)

 

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Massachusetts

DCR announces return of Pride Hikes at Massachusetts state parks

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DCR announces return of Pride Hikes at Massachusetts state parks


AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) – The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has announced the return of its Pride Hikes, a series of guided walks across several state parks in celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.

These events will take place throughout June to create welcoming outdoor experiences for all communities during Pride Month. Each of the six hikes will be held at a different DCR property, with the events varying in length, terrain, and level of difficulty.

Participants are welcome to dress in Pride colors and are encouraged to bring necessary hiking supplies, including sturdy footwear, water, bug spray, and sunscreen.

“Our public lands and open spaces belong to everyone, and our Pride Hikes are a chance to celebrate the beauty of our landscapes and of each other,” said DCR Commissioner Nicole LaChapelle. “We’re welcoming members of the LGBTQIA+ community, their families, friends, and allies into our parks to enjoy the outdoors together and strengthen connections to nature and one another. We’re grateful to our partners across the state for helping create welcoming spaces where people can celebrate Pride, build community and experience a sense of belonging.”

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The DCR is partnering with Queer Men of the Berkshires, the Stonewall Center at UMass Amherst, OUT MetroWest, and the Greater Boston and Franklin-Hampshire chapters of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays to host this series of hikes, with additional support from volunteers with Mass Audubon and RiverCulture.

This year’s Pride Hikes will take place at the following DCR properties:

  • Great Falls Discovery Center, Montague
    • Sunday, June 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Wachusett Reservoir, Clinton
    • Saturday, June 20, 7:30 to 9:15 p.m.
  • Mount Holyoke Range State Park, Amherst
    • Saturday, June 27, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Riverfront State Park, Lawrence
    • Saturday, June 27, 1 to 3 p.m.
  • Douglas State Forest, Douglas
    • Saturday, June 27, 2 to 4 p.m.
  • Bristol Blake State Reservation, Norfolk
    • Sunday, June 28, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The hikes are subject to cancellation in the event of inclement weather. To learn more about each Pride Hike location, visit mass.gov.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WWLP. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat information into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WWLP staff before being published.

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